【英语论文】论英语“死亡”的委婉语(英文).doc
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1、On English “Death” Euphemism论英语“死亡”的委婉语1. IntroductionEnglish euphemism, from the Greek word “euphemismos” meaning “good fame “or “good speech”, is the use of a pleasant, polite or harmless sounding word or expression to mask harsh, rude or infamous truths (Qin Xianmei &Li Yang, 2006: 212 ) . It is
2、also defined in the new edition of The Oxford Concise Dictionary (1979) as “Substitution of mild or vague or roundabout expression for harsh or direct one” (Feng Cuihua, 2004: 221). English euphemism is a language phenomenon that exists popularly in English peoples lives and the “death” euphemism is
3、 just one of the most important parts in euphemistic culture. During the process of communication, people, in English culture, create a great majority of euphemistic expressions about “death” in order to make the “death” not sounding so scared. Of course, the “death” euphemism is both a language phe
4、nomenon and cultural phenomenon, which makes people avoid this terrible and mysterious word directly, and expresses their miss feeling and respect, their sympathy and comfort more effectively, which people can easily to accept. Death is an unfortunate thing and a disaster, even everyone in the world
5、 can not resist this natural law of birth, age and death. People merely use other words as substitutes of “death” for its linguistic taboo. People, from social man psychology, consider that talking about the death is unlucky, because in the mind of tradition, people refer to death and misfortune wou
6、ld occur. Therefore, many euphemisms in the English language are used to cover up “death”. For instance, in “David Copperfield”, Charles Dickens wrote: “and, it being low water, he went out with the tide.”(余立三,1985:63). “He went out with the tide” is a euphemism that expresses “he died”. To master t
7、his kind of euphemistic culture is good for social communication. This paper provides more detailed analysis from English “death” euphemism, its origin, development, metaphor, age vs. relationship, before or after death vs. dead cause, oral expression vs. slang, occasion vs. value. Meanwhile, it stu
8、dies the culture on English “death” euphemism even deeply and helps the English learners understand the languages inner relations as well as how to improve the ability of using this euphemistic language effectively. 2. English “Death” Euphemism and CultureCulture, in a broad sense, includes customs,
9、 ideas, objects, techniques, language, civilization, art and literature, etc. of a particular society or group of people. (Wehmeier, 2001:227). The English “death” euphemism is a special language. As we all know, England is a hometown of prevailing euphemism. People there are inclined to apply a lot
10、 of euphemistic words to express something terrible. As a story tells: a guest from Paris was travelling and living in England, one day, his landlord told him with grief on face: “My husband has just passed to the other side.” This Paris man looked toward the other side of the garden, but he saw nob
11、ody and was puzzled at that time. So his landlord explained further to him: “I mean he is kicked the bucket.” He comforted her and said: “I hope his foot will be better soon.” But landlord did not understand what her guest said, and she explained: “No, he wasnt here, he snuffed it .you know.” Still
12、the Paris man couldnt get what his landlord wanted to express. He blurted out suddenly: “But youve got electricity here. (李观仪, 2000: 24). We can know from story why the Paris man answered this woman with other things that were outlying when she talked about one thing. Because the Paris man was not a
13、ware of euphemisms that the landlord used, even he did not understand “Conversational implication” of euphemism. As a matter of fact, what she said means that her husband passed away. In other words, her husband died. “Passed to the other side, kick the bucket, and snuffed it” these phrases in the s
14、tory are all “death” euphemisms. Usually, people alive do not want to say the word “die” directly when someone acquainted has passed away. This language phenomenon in society is quite common, and in a sense, it is also an application of language. English “death” euphemism, at the same time, reflects
15、 some custom, social value and belief, etc. Therefore, it can not exist alone without social culture. In order to analyze its inner cultural meanings, we now study the origins of English “death” euphemism first.2.1 The Main Origin of “Death” EuphemismEverything in the world has their origins. So is
16、with the English “death” euphemism. Long time ago, many phenomenon could not be explained clearly, just like “die”. People did not know why a man would die, but they believed it was a mysterious power. “Death” is a terrible word that reminds people of dark or cold things. People avoid talking about
17、it, because they are afraid of losing their families or friends. Consequently, a lot of euphemisms are used, such as: “be asleep forever”(永远安息了)is taken to substitute “death” as well as the “ to be brought to ones long home”(回老家). In different cultures, it needs to use the different euphemisms to ex
18、press “death”. Namely, the origins of English “death” euphemism are so wide and different.2.1.1 Christianity BeliefThe first origin of “death” euphemism is Christianity belief. A large number of the euphemisms originate from the stories or allusions of Christianity. Moreover, Christianity has explai
19、ned the death and described the world after death in order to help people get rid of angst and trepidation about death. To the world beyond death, Christianity has had great effects on peoples mind and obviously emerges in the language. We know, English, America, Canada, Australia and New Zealand ar
20、e all the countries which believe in Christianity. Christianity is focused on the salvation of the world beyond death, and there are many “death” euphemisms are found in Bible, Hymns and preached documents, etc. Accordingly, a part of English “death” euphemisms originate from Christianity. In the Me
21、dieval Century, Christianity unified the whole Europe, and Bible was unique and supreme truth. The “death” euphemisms from Bible have embodied life value and explained peoples death. just as God creates human beings with clay, and after death, they would “return to dust” (归尘). In Bible, God created
22、Adam, human beings ancestor, with clay. One day, God said to him: “Thou come from dust, and shalt return to dust.” The notion that people have sins with birth, they must atone for it, and after their death, they would “pay the debt of nature”. God is a master of everything in the universe. When peop
23、le die, they “are called to God”. Death means “go the way of all flesh”. People alive, they must keep noble mind and helping others, they would “go to heaven” in the future. And then, they can “be with God, be asleep in the arms of God / in Jesus / lie in Abrahams bosom” and “be at peace”. This make
24、s life “go to ones final reward”. Peoples death just is “yield up the ghost”, but the soul is “launch into eternity” and “have ones name inscribed in the book of life”. (戴卫平&高鹏,2004:15). According to the Christianity, human beings are all created by God. They are Gods sons and daughters. God loves h
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